Agenda and minutes

            Apologies were reported on behalf of the Chairperson (Councillor Groogan) and Councillor Heading.

            The minutes of the meeting of 18th June were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st July, subject to the omission of those matters in respect of which the Council had delegated its powers to the Committee.

            No declarations of interest were reported.

            The information contained in the reports associated with the following seven items is restricted in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to exclude the members of the Press and public from the meeting during discussion of the following items as, due to the nature of the items, there would be a disclosure of exempt information as described in Section 42(4) and Section 6 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

            The Director of Finance and Resources reminded the Members that the Committee, at its meeting on 19th March, had agreed that the five step Finance Strategy which had, in June, 2020, been approved to manage the impact of Covid-19 upon the Council’s finances, be extended into the first quarter of 2021/22 and that it be reviewed on a quarterly basis thereafter.

            He drew the Members’ attention to the financial position and forecast for Quarter 1 of 2021/22, which had been based on that Strategy. The financial position for the Council had shown an underspend of £4.6m, which represented 12% of the quarterly net expenditure budget. The key contributory factors related to additional expenditure controls, which had helped to offset income, the under occupancy of office buildings and underspends in employee budgets. The Quarter 1 forecast had shown an underspend of £2.18m, which represented 1.5% of the net expenditure budget.

            The Director went on to provide an update on the forecast reserves position and District Rate forecast at Quarter 1 and on the overall Investment Programme.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to:

                             i.        note the report; and

                            ii.        agree to extend the five step Finance Strategy to the remaining quarters of 2021/22. 

            The Members of the Committee considered a report which provided an update on the assessment of the key financial factors which would influence the development of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan for 2022/23 - 2024/25 and the rate setting process for 2022/23, together with an overview of the priorities and work in progress to establish the 2022/23 - 2024/25 Efficiency Programme.

            After discussion, the Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to:

                            i.     note the challenges to be taken into consideration as part of the annual and medium-term rate setting process; and

                          ii.      agree that the same District Rate increase will be levied on domestic and non-domestic properties.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to note a report providing an update on the progress being made across each of the operational areas in implementing the City Hall Recovery Plan. 

            The Chief Executive informed the Members that the Northern Ireland Planning Portal provided users with an online facility to view and comment upon planning applications. It was also used by councils to process planning applications and enforcement cases and to administer the regional property certificate system. The portal had originally been developed for use by the former Department of the Environment’s Planning Service but had been adapted for use by the eleven councils when planning powers had been transferred to local government in 2015. 

            She reported that the current contract for the provision of the planning portal was coming to an end and reminded the Members that, on 24th April 2020, they had delegated authority to her to approve a joint award of a contract, for ten years initially, for a new regional planning IT system. The system would be shared by the Department for Infrastructure and ten of the eleven councils and the Planning Portal Governance Board had stressed the need for it to commence no later than June, 2022, given that the current contract would expire the following December. 

            She reported further that the Department for Infrastructure, which was leading the project, had recommended that the role of Intelligent Client Function contract management for the new IT system be undertaken by one of the ten participating councils, given that they would be the primary users. Of those, only the Council had expressed a potential interest in assuming the role which, she pointed out, would provide it with an opportunity to build a close and constructive relationship with the supplier of the new IT system and influence the future development path to best meet the Planning Service’s needs.

            She outlined the key activities associated with the role and confirmed that officers had been collating information across a range of issues to inform the decision. A detailed analysis of risk and opportunities had been produced in relation to functions and resources, including a Service Level Agreement, legal considerations, finance, governance, organisational considerations, recruitment, implementation of the IT system, security and information governance. Having examined the issues in the round, it was recommended that the Council take on the Intelligent Client Function contract management for the new regional planning IT system, subject to the following:

                               i.          that the Council approves the final Service Level Agreement, which, amongst other areas, should address the points raised by the Legal Services Section in paragraph 3.14 of the Committee report;

                              ii.          that the Council be part of the first wave of implementation of the new IT system;

                            iii.          that appropriate contingency be agreed with the other ten Planning Authorities, in the event that the Council does not recruit to the new Intelligent Client Function team in time;

                            iv.          that the posts in the new Intelligent Client Function be filled on a permanent basis and appointed through an external recruitment exercise;

                             v.          that engagement/consultation take place with Trade Unions, as required; and

                            vi.          that the proposed arrangement be approved by SOLACE and the Planning Portal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

            (Mr. P. Gribben, Head of Digital Services, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Head of Digital Services informed the Members that the threat of cyber-attacks was the most severe risk which the Council faced and that this had increased significantly due to the disruption caused by Covid-19 and the growing use of Cloud services, which had made critical applications more accessible to attackers. Over the past year, cyber-attacks had had a major impact on several local authorities across the United Kingdom and on a number of local agencies/organisations.

            He reported that, in response to those challenges, Digital Services had engaged cyber security specialists to carry out an updated security assessment of the Council’s cyber controls and a new Security Strategy had been developed. A security programme had been established, focusing on critical areas of cyber defence and he provided details of key actions which were being recommended around incident response, security culture, identity and access management, password protection, threat and vulnerability management, cyber resilience and cloud security. He added that Digital Services would be working with the Head of Finance and Resources to determine the best approach for funding initial response activities.

            After discussion, the Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to adopt the following recommendations:

                 i.          to agree to the delivery of the key actions associated with the security programme, as set out within the report; and

                ii.          to note that further consideration would be required around the key areas relating to incident response, as set out within the report.

Threat and Vulnerability Management

                 i.          that Elected Members and officers who had been provided with Council devices must access the Councils electronic information and systems using these devices;

                ii.          that Council information must not be sent to personal devices;

               iii.          that laptop provision would be prioritised for officers using personal devices and those with Customer facing roles;

              iv.          that BCC email would be blocked on personal devices that do not have Mobile Device Management software installed (Following MDM implementation); and

                v.          that personal email accounts would be blocked on the Council’s network.

            Cloud Security

                 i.          to develop a list of approved cloud services/applications that have been centrally procured through Digital Services. These will then be whitelisted for use;

                ii.          to block Council staff from using unapproved cloud-based systems to store business data; and

               iii.          to require a business case for Cloud services.

            The Members of the Committee were reminded that, at the meeting on 18th June, they had agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to retain the annual allocation of £500k for the Summer Community Diversionary Festival Programme, with a view to delivering the Programme later in the year.

            They were reminded further that the Council, at its meeting on 1st July, had agreed that:

“due to the exceptional circumstances of this year and the fact that it is now July, that the open call for the Summer Community Diversionary Festival Programme is suspended for this year only.  The funding, which is already included in the annual budget, is allocated to the same groups which were awarded funding following the open call in 2019, with the same amount again being ear-marked for each.  These groups will be required to submit application forms which will be subject to due diligence, the application process will be opened to these groups immediately, that there be no fixed closing date so that applications can be assessed as they come in and funding awarded.  Mindful that of the fact that some, though not all, events are planned for August, authority be delegated to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee to hold a special Committee meeting on 2nd August to approve grants for those applications approved by then.  All planned events obviously must be compliant with Covid restrictions at the time, with the use of Council Parks for approved events in August granted, if required, and that call-in on this matter be suspended.”

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services informed the Members that, whilst the diversionary and festival fund was a rolling programme for 2021/22, officers had stipulated deadline dates for the submission of applications, to ensure that there was sufficient time for preliminary assessment in advance of them being presented to the Members of the Committee. He confirmed that the only application which had been received by the latest deadline date of 6th August related to the Eastside Partnership, which had requested  funding of £82,470.

            He provided a brief synopsis of the project, together with details of the assessment score, and confirmed that, if approved, officers would provide the applicant with a funding agreement and terms of grant, similar to those which had been issued in 2019. As part of the initial assessment, officers had identified that further clarification was required around the management costs associated with managing the overall programme of work.  He added that, whilst officers would support successful applicants with the condition of grant, there could, based on the final documentation submitted, be changes to the proposed programme of works and/or a reduction in funding for individual applicants in ensuring compliance with the relevant Council policies and procedures. 

            After discussion, it was

            Moved by Alderman Kingston,

            Seconded by Councillor Beattie,

      That the Members of the Committee agree to recommend that, in accordance with the Council’s decision of 4th May, the Chief  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

            The Members of the Committee agreed, on the basis that decisions relating to the disposal/acquisition of assets could not be taken under delegated authority, to adopt the following recommendations, in principle, and noted that the decisions would be subject to ratification by the Council, provided that the enabling legislation permitting the holding of remote Committee meetings had been put in place at that time:

                           i.      Dargan Road – Disposal of Development Site;

                          ii.      Blanchflower Playing Fields – Lease to Harland and Wolff Welders Football Club;

                         iii.          Parkgate Avenue Off Street Car Park – New Access Licence Agreement;

                        iv.          Plot 13 Balmoral Estate – Lease extension and revised rent review period;

                          v.          75 Mount Eagles Avenue – Disposal of Land; and

                        vi.          Laganvale Manor – Disposal of Land

            The Members of the Committee were reminded that, at the Council meeting on 1st July, the following motion had been proposed by Councillor M. Kelly and seconded by Councillor Mulholland:

“This Council recognises the emotional trauma and loss suffered by parents as a result of stillbirths and miscarriages.

The Council also notes that a growing number of employers across the UK and Ireland are offering paid leave to employees who have experienced or been affected by early pregnancy loss and miscarriage.

As such, the Council will bring forward compassionate, fair and progressive proposals for bereavement leave to provide leave for miscarriage and for stillbirth, so that employees who have been impacted do not have to use sick or annual holiday leave.”

            In accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the motion had been referred without discussion to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to adopt the motion and agree that a report be submitted to a future meeting providing details on how it would be facilitated, resourced and managed.

            The Members of the Committee were reminded that, at the Council meeting on 1st July, the following motion had been proposed by Councillor Bunting and seconded by Councillor Spratt:

“This Council acknowledges the unique achievement of Her Majesty The Queen as our longest serving monarch in history, hails her life of service to our nation, to the Commonwealth and to many aspects of international life, and agrees to organise in 2022 a programme of events to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, including a funding programme for events organised by local communities across the City, as permitted by the Covid restrictions at that time.”

            In accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the motion had been referred without discussion to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to adopt the motion and agree that it be referred to the Party Group Leaders for consideration, with a report on how it would be facilitated, resourced and managed to be submitted to a future meeting.

            The Members of the Committee were reminded that, at the Council meeting on 1st July, the following motion had been proposed by Alderman Kingston and seconded by Councillor Pankhurst:

“This Council notes that this November marks the centenary of the opening of the Ulster Memorial Tower, on 19th November 1921, near Thiepval in France, as a lasting tribute to the men of Ulster who served and who gave their lives during the First World War.

Its position, opposite Thiepval Wood, is a particular reminder of the officers and men of the 36th (Ulster) Division who fell during the Battle of the Somme, and is a specific tribute to the Division’s heroic charge on the opening day of that great offensive.

This Council notes the various historic connections between the Ulster Memorial Tower and Belfast City Council and agrees to include recognition of this connection in our Centenary programme this year.”

            In accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the motion had been referred without discussion to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to adopt the motion and agree that it be referred to the Party Group Leaders for consideration, with a report on how it would be facilitated, resourced and managed to be submitted to a future meeting.

            The Members of the Committee were reminded that, at the Council meeting on 1st July, the following motion had been proposed by Councillor Howard and seconded by Councillor de Faoite:

“This Council notes the challenges posed by loneliness and how this has been compounded during the pandemic. Loneliness is now endemic across Northern Ireland, with 88% of people saying that loneliness has become a bigger problem since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. 1 in 3 people in Northern Ireland are ‘more often lonely’ and chronic loneliness affects 1 in 20 people.

The Council further notes that the recent British Red Cross NI report entitle “The longest Year: Life under Local Restrictions”, has called upon the Executive to take urgent action to tackle loneliness and states that Northern Ireland remains the only part of the United Kingdom without a Governmental loneliness strategy. 70 organisations, including NICVA, have also called for an urgent strategy to be brought forward.

The Council can do something tangible to tackle isolation and loneliness by agreeing to consider the repurposing of two council owned benches as ‘Happy to Chat Benches’. One of these is situated in the grounds of the City Hall and the other in the Titanic quarter.  Many Councils across the United Kingdom, including some in Northern Ireland, have introduced chat benches to help break down the barriers of social isolation and to get people talking.

The Council also calls upon the Minister for Health to initiate the development of a Northern Ireland Loneliness Strategy in partnership with other relevant Executive colleagues.”

            In accordance with Standing Order 13(f), the motion was referred without discussion to the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to adopt the motion and agree that a report be submitted to a future meeting providing details on how it would be facilitated, resourced and managed.

The Members of the Committee were reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 4th May, had passed the following motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Heading and seconded by Councillor Lyons:

“This Council notes the increase in commercial (non-bank) ATMs in convenience stores and in our high streets. The Council further notes that the financial charge made against the consumer for withdrawing their own cash from their own bank account can range from 75 pence to £1.25 per withdrawal.

“This Council notes the increase in commercial (non-bank) ATMs in convenience stores and in our high streets. The Council further notes that the financial charge made against the consumer for withdrawing their own cash from their own bank account can range from 75 pence to £1.25 per withdrawal.

The Council understands the need for people to be able to access cash while acknowledging the pandemic impact on the use of cash in circulating in the local economy.

The Council also notes that those on fixed incomes face a financial charge to withdraw small amounts of cash, usually for necessities, and this is an unnecessary financial burden on older people and families.

The Council, therefore, will write to the Financial Conduct Authority urging it to cap the number of ATMs that charge for withdrawing cash.

The Council will also ask the Financial Conduct Authority to check on behalf of consumers, how such ATMs are sited and the criteria applied and if there is any correlation between the siting of cash ATMs which charge in areas of social deprivation, on the grounds they may be used more often in a seven-day period by people on fixed incomes and are, therefore, more profitable.”

            The City Solicitor reported that, as called for in the motion, a letter had been sent to the Financial Conduct Authority, which had then been forwarded to the Payment Systems Regulator, as the organisation responsible for LINK, the United Kingdom’s largest cash machine network.

            The response from the Payment Systems Regulator had recognised the important role which cash played for many people and highlighted the need for everyone to have a wide choice when making payments, in ways which worked for them. The Regulator had recently reaffirmed this commitment in a joint statement with the Financial Conduct Authority.

In relation to ATMs, the Regulator was focusing on ensuring that LINK delivered on its 2018 commitment to maintain the existing geographic spread of free-to-use ATMs for cash access. To ensure this, it had issued Specific Direction 8 to LINK, which required LINK to do all that it could to fulfil its commitment to maintaining the broad geographic spread of free-to-use ATMs. The Regulator was currently reviewing the need to keep this Direction in place and planned to publish a decision on this shortly.

            The response had gone on to point out that LINK’s commitment included the replacement of those free-to-use ATMs which closed, provided that there was no alternative free ATM or Post Office within one kilometre. It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

            The Members of the Committee were reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 1st June, had passed the following motion, which had been proposed by Councillor Murphy and seconded by Councillor Walsh:

"This Council notes that recent weeks have seen the most serious escalation of violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory since 2014, with a tragic impact on innocent civilians and loss of life, including the deaths of over 60 children, and condemns the indiscriminate targeting of civilian populations and infrastructure and the disproportionate impact which this has had, particularly in the Gaza strip.

The Council recognises that the displacement of Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem and across the West Bank and the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements undermines the prospect of peace, not just in recent weeks but over decades, and represents a flagrant violation of international law.

Therefore, the Council will write to the Local Government Pension Scheme to seek, as part of its responsible investment strategy, that it will begin the process of divesting from any Israeli State owned company or private company involved in the occupation and the violation of Palestinian human rights. This will include any companies listed by the United Nations as operating in these illegal Israeli settlements within the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Council will also ask that NILGOSC carry out its own due diligence into any other companies which are not included on this list but are known to be involved in or with these illegal settlements.

Finally, the Council will ask that the divestment process is time bound to a period of 12 months from when NILGOSC makes those companies involved first aware of the complaint and intention to divest.”

            The City Solicitor confirmed that a response to the motion has been received from Mr. D. Murphy, the Chief Executive of NILGOSC.

            Mr. Murphy had begun by stating that it was NILGOSC’s policy not to divest (or invest) for political reasons and that all investment decisions were made on investment grounds. However, fund managers were required to take environmental, social and corporate governance matters into account.

            He had pointed out that the NILGOSC pension fund was the largest in Northern Ireland and was valued at £9.79bn at 31st March 2021, with investments being made in a range of asset classes across the world. NILGOSC’s overriding obligation was to act in the best interests of the Fund’s beneficiaries. In this fiduciary role, NILGOSC believed that environmental, social and corporate governance issues could affect the financial performance of investments. Accordingly, these factors should be taken into account when managing the Fund’s assets, subject to the overriding fiduciary duty to maximise the financial return on investments.

            He had gone on to explain that NILGOSC had adopted the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment as a means of publicly demonstrating this approach and that it expected the companies in which it invested to comply with best practice, in terms of corporate governance.

            He had added that NILGOSC collaborated with other like-minded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

            The Members of the Committee were reminded that the Council, at its meeting on 1st July, had passed the following motion, which had been proposed by Councillor McReynolds and seconded by Councillor Hanvey:

“The economic impact caused by Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on many of our businesses and it is essential that the Council has the necessary powers and funding to support the rebuilding of our local economy.

The new councils formed in 2015 were designed to be larger and more powerful, and since then Belfast City Council has demonstrated its competence and capability. Successfully undertaking planning and local economic development functions and delivering vital services.

One of the key levers that councils were promised, and is now needed, is the power of regeneration. Place shaping is increasingly becoming a critical part of the recovery process, especially in an environment where places will be different and there is a need of local solutions. Obtaining control of regeneration powers will also complement the Local Development Plans and our community planning framework.

In recognition of the consultation on Programme for Government, Investment Strategy and Budget, lobbying by NILGA and other stakeholders, we call on this Council to write to The Executive Office and the Department for Communities calling for the transfer of full regeneration powers and associated resources to local authorities as a matter of priority, as soon as an equality statement is agreed by all councils, to ensure the principle of objective need is central to any use of future powers or resources.”

            The City Solicitor informed the Members that the Council has received a response from Mr. C. Donnelly, Director of the Belfast Regeneration Directorate, on behalf of both the Department for Communities and the Executive Office.

            Mr. Donnelly had begun by stating that he was aware of the continued calls for the legislation to extend regeneration powers to local government to be reintroduced and that the Minister for Communities had addressed those calls on a number of occasions.

            He had then proceeded to set out the Department’s current position on the matter by explaining that the Department for Communities had a range of powers which could be used to take forward physical, economic and social regeneration, including community development activities.  The principal powers currently used by the Department to pursue physical regeneration projects were mostly contained within Part VII of the Planning (NI) Order 1991.  These provided the legislative basis for progressing development schemes, acquisition, disposal and development of land for planning purposes and the extinguishment of public rights of way over land held for planning purposes.  The Department exercised these statutory powers in the public interest in the assembly and vesting of lands for the purpose of comprehensive development schemes and projects.  He highlighted the Victoria Square as being one example where the Department worked closely with a preferred developer and had used its vesting powers to acquire the necessary land to enable a Development Scheme to complete.

An alternative provision in the Planning Order 1991  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

            The Members of the Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1            To advise the Committee of the current position and the decisions which are still required following the Council’s decision to establish the Standards and Business Committee.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Members of the Committee are asked to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May 2021, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to:

1.     note the previous decision to establish the Standards and Business Committee and approve the Terms of Reference;

2.     note that the City Solicitor/Director of Legal Services will undertake the role of Monitoring Officer;

3.     note that the Committee will consist of 20 Members and representation will be based on the Quota Greatest Remainder system;

4.     note the allocation of the positions of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson for the remaining 2 years of the Council term;

5.     approve the payment of a Special Responsibility Allowance to the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson of the Standards Committee, and approve the proposed reallocation of the SRAs as outlined below;

6.     approve the changes to Standing Orders; and

7.     note that, following ratification by the Council, the Committee will be established with effect from 1st September, 2021.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       The purpose of this report is to update the Committee on the decisions which have been previously agreed and those which are still required to be taken regarding the establishment of the new Standards and Business Committee.

3.2       Members will be aware that the Council, at its meeting on 1st July, ratified the decision to establish the Standards and Business and approved the Terms of Reference. It also approved the new process for Notices of Motion.

3.3       To give effect to those decisions, it was noted that changes would be required to be made to Standing Orders and that a report would be submitted to a meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee indicating the changes required. It would also require agreement that an associated Special Responsibility Allowance be allocated to the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson positions of responsibility and funded from the reallocation of the existing Special Responsibility Allowance fund.

Monitoring Officer

3.4       The Committee, at its meeting on 20th September, 2020, in considering the proposals in relation to a Standards Committee, agreed to the designation of the City Solicitor into a new ‘Monitoring Officer’ role responsible for all issues in relation to standards.  The City Solicitor will continue to undertake this role in the new Standards and Business Committee.

Representation on the Committee

3.5       The Committee will consist of 20 Members.  The appointment of Councillors to Committees is made in accordance with Section 13 and Schedule 2 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 “The Act” using the default method, that is, the Quota Greatest Remainder method of proportionality, which allocates places to Parties based on the number of Councillors who stood in the name of the Party when elected using the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

            The Members of the Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1            To present draft terms of reference for a review of Active Belfast Limited and the current tri-partite governance arrangements.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Members of the Committee are asked to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May 2021, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to:

·        consider the draft terms of reference set out below; along with the comments submitted by the Active Belfast Limited (ABL) Board,

·        approve the review timeline set out below; and

·        agree that officers proceed with the procurement of an independent consultant to conduct the review.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       The Strategic Policy and Resources Committee, at its meeting on 20th November, 2020, agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting setting out the terms of reference for a review of the Council’s governance arrangements, in relation to the delivery of its leisure service.

3.2       The Committee noted the motion and agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting setting out the terms of reference for a review of the ABL board, including its membership and governance arrangements.

3.3       Work to progress this action has been significantly delayed by the most recent COVID lockdown, however, officers have now had an opportunity to draft Terms of Reference for consideration.

3.4       The draft terms of reference set out below were presented to the ABL board on 9th August 2021 for comment.  Members of the Board were content with the terms of reference, however, they had suggested that the review takes account of the boards own 2020 – 2025 strategy, as well as some of their other strategic development work (i.e. aquatics strategy).  (The minutes of that meeting are being presented separately to the Committee for noting under agenda item 9d.)

Draft Terms of Reference

3.5       Introduction / Purpose

Belfast City Council intends to conduct a review of the tri-partite operating model currently in place to govern the delivery of its leisure service with particular reference to the role, membership and governance arrangements of the Active Belfast Ltd (ABL) board.

3.6       Specifically, the objective of the exercise is to:

1      Undertake a review of the overall performance of the ABL Board against the Council’s original objectives.

2    Review the ABL governance arrangements including the board’s role in monitoring contract compliance and the performance of the strategic operating partner (GLL).

3       Review the level of control delegated to the ABL Board.

4       Provide a commentary on the overall status of the partnership and governance, between the three parties to the contract.

5    Make recommendations in terms of how governance arrangements could be amended/improved going forward.

3.7       It is recommended that the work undertaken will include the following:

·          Review the existing tri-partite contractual arrangements.  Any review of contractual arrangements will need to take into consideration input and advice from legal services.

·      High level assessment of the ABL governance arrangements including a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

            The Members of the Committee were informed that the National Association of Councillors’ annual conference would this year be held in Carlisle from 1st till 3rd October.  The theme for the event would be “The Future for the Regions/Levelling Up” and delegates would examine how the Government’s commitment to levelling up across the whole of the United Kingdom to ensure that no community would be left behind, post  Covid-19, would be managed and if it would be affected by the current financial situation. 

            The City Solicitor pointed out that, in previous years, the Committee had granted authority for any of the eight Members appointed by the Council to the National Association of Councillors (Northern Ireland Region) to attend the conference.  The fee per delegate would be £350 and there would be additional travel and accommodation costs.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to approve the attendance of any of the eight Members appointed to the National Association of Councillors (Northern Ireland Region) at the conference.

            The Members of the Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1            This report is to provide the Committee with an update on the progress of the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD), including progress on the development of the Programme Business Case for the Digital Programme and next steps in the establishment of Belfast City Council as the Accountable Body for the deal.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Members of the Committee are asked to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to note:

·        the development of the deal document, based on the agreed approach to delivery of a phased deal;

·        that Belfast City Council will act as the Accountable body for the deal ensuring that decisions are made in accordance with all legal, financial, and administrative requirements;

·        the programme overview and the progress that has been made in the Digital Innovation Programme Business Case; and

·        the update in respect of the BRCD Council Panel.

3.0       Main Report

            Programme Update

3.1       In May, the Committee received a detailed update on progress across the programme and an outline on the development of the deal document. The key components for a phased deal are now well advanced, with Business Cases submitted and being reviewed by NI and UK Governments across the programme.  Discussions continue with UK and NI Governments to agree a timeline and process for negotiation and approval of the deal document, in parallel with the formal consideration of Outline Business Cases (OBCs). 

3.2       As outlined previously the overarching deal document is supported by both an Implementation Plan and Financial Plan. Following the last update to Members in May work has continued with the NI and UK government departments and the Deal document and both the Implementation and Financial Plans are now well advanced.  The BRCD partners are aiming for autumn for these plans to be finalised, allowing the deal to be signed and funding to start to flow to the projects.

3.3       As previously reported the Tourism and Regeneration and Innovation OBCs have been submitted to the relevant Government Departments for formal review. Four of the Innovation OBCs have been approved through Casework and by the Economy Minister and await Department of Finance approval. The remaining Innovation OBC is to be reviewed through Casework in October. Two of the Tourism and Regeneration have Casework dates confirmed for September and Partners are working closely with Departments to schedule Casework dates for the remaining projects.

3.4       The Employability and Skills Proposition for the BRCD has been developed, following a detailed engagement process with partners and key industry stakeholders, with the aim of creating a collaborative model for identifying and providing the skills required for the jobs that are being created through the BRCD programme of investment. It incorporates three core component elements of an Employability and Skills Partnership, a core E and S programme and approach to deliver inclusive growth.   Partners continue to work to develop  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

            The Members of the Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       To outline proposals for a Belfast Digital Innovation framework that seeks to unlock the power of digital innovation to support the city in its post-Covid recovery and longer-term plans. The framework will seek to maximise the combined impact of a series of planned initiatives and investments on the social, economic and environmental challenges facing the city over the next decade. Members are asked to approve the approach and agree to a number of temporary roles to support the work.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Members of the Committee are asked to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to:

1.     note the works strands on digital innovation in the city;

2.     approve the recruitment of four temporary roles (three years) to support the further development of this work (an Advanced Wireless Infrastructure – Innovation Broker, Smart District Innovation Broker and two Innovation Challenge Fund managers);

3.     note the rationale for a Belfast digital innovation framework and agree that proposals will be brought to the September Committee meeting; and

4.     note that Mr. Mark Gillan has been appointed (via SIB) as the Interim Belfast Digital Innovation Commissioner to replace Jayne Brady who will take up her new role as Head of the Civil Service on 1st September.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       Over the past four years, the Council has been working with key institutions to develop a shared understanding of the importance of digital innovation to the future of the city and, more recently, seeking to build a common city level approach to maximise the opportunity that digital innovation represents in the post-Covid world.

3.2       This work began in 2017 with the Council’s Smart Belfast programme developed in partnership with one of the UK Government’s Catapults and local partners. Smart Belfast, which is managed by the Council’s City Innovation team, has delivered a range of successful projects with industry, SMEs and our universities. Its core approach has been to clearly define shared urban ‘challenges’ and then create opportunities for business, academia and the public sector to collaborate and co-invest in developing innovative digital solutions, while at the same time generating opportunities for our local SMEs to develop ideas for new products and services. Over its life span Smart Belfast has delivered a diverse range of projects and attracted significant investments for the city and has been showcased at both a national and international level.

3.3       Earlier this year, the establishment of a new strategic partnership, Innovation City Belfast (ICB), which brings together the senior teams at Queen’s University, Ulster University, Belfast Harbour, Invest NI and Catalyst, (has significantly increased the City’s ambition in utilising digital innovation to transform our economy and tackle major societal challenges). The partnership is supported by the Digital Innovation Commissioner and a number of other jointly funded staff, along with the Council’s City Innovation team.

3.4       ICB  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

            The Members of the Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1            To update Members on the final recommendations stemming from within the Innovation and Inclusive Growth Commission, `Reset for Growth’ report and consider the Council’s response.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Members of the Committee are asked to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to:

                                            i.             note the Reset for Growth report and its recommendations;

                                           ii.             endorse the `Reset for Growth’ report;

                                         iii.             note the associated implementation plan; and

                                         iv.             note the proposed expenditure of £25,000 from existing departmental provision for research to assist with the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       The Innovation and Inclusive Growth Commission was set up to support the Council and city partners in the further development and implementation of the priorities as set out in the Belfast Agenda. A particular focus has been given to the priorities of (1) growing the economy and (2) city development. The Commission will seek to deliver the core objective of inclusive growth.

3.2       Regular reports on the work of the Commission have been brought to this Committee and to party group leaders, with Members regularly attending meetings of the Commission.

3.3       The Commission is made up of Independent, Authoritative, and knowledgeable voices from a range of relevant backgrounds. Brought together to develop constructive, deliverable and challenging proposals that are focused on delivering radical change to Belfast and Northern Ireland’s long-standing challenges in areas including:

-                  Lack of productivity

-                  Economic inactivity

-                  High levels of deprivation, and

-                  Poor health

3.4       The commission is unique in that its independent and is viewing these challenges in the round, recognising the interrelated nature of the causes and effects.

3.5       It was initially envisaged that the Commission would be convened for one year.  However, as COVID-19 took hold the Commissioners thought it was appropriate that it considered how it could be used as a potential recovery mechanism.

3.6       Commissioners seen the significant impact of the pandemic in terms of:

-        Increasing unemployment,

-        Increasing deprivation and social isolation, and

-        accelerating decline in some critical industries, such as retail, tourism and hospitality and noted that Belfast and Northern Ireland’s prolonged structural weaknesses mean these impacts are likely to be concentrated and longer lasting.

3.7       Because of the impacts of Covid-19, and the presence of some strategic funding opportunities including Levelling UP, the Comprehensive Spending review and the Belfast Region City Deal. The Commissioners concluded that Belfast and Northern Ireland stood at an inflexion point. A point where if the long running structural weaknesses were not addressed it is likely that the standard of living for the people of Belfast and Northern Ireland could be eroded further.

3.8       The Reset for Growth report was launched by the Innovation and Inclusive Growth Commission on 28th June 2021.

3.9       The report focused on five areas that were informed by Belfast and Northern Irelands structural  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

            The Chief Executive informed the Members that the Inclusive Growth Network had been established in 2020, with a view to using shared intelligence, learning and experience to develop and test ideas for local interventions to tackle inequalities, alleviatepoverty and improve productivity. The Network, which was hosted by the Centre for Progressive Policy, consisted of twelve councils and combined authorities from across the United Kingdom, including Belfast, leading the drive for inclusive local economies.

            She reported that the Lord Mayor had received an invitation from the Network to attend this year’s Political Leaders’ Meeting, which would be based around the theme “Building Back Places: Towards a Green, Inclusive Recovery. However, given the relevance of the subject matter, it had been decided that the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee should nominate a Member to attend. The event would be taking place via Zoom on either 14th or 15th September, depending upon the availability of those attending, and would, amongst other things, explore how the Network could facilitate the Council’s inclusive growth priorities in year two.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to approve the attendance at the event of the Chairperson or the Deputy Chairperson (or their nominee).

            The Members of the Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1       The purpose of the report is to present the Committee with a draft response to the consultation on the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland – Skills for a 10x Economy.  Subject to Council endorsement, this will be submitted to the Department for the Economy as the Council’s contribution to the consultation.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Members of the Committee are asked to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to:

·        approve the attached response to the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland consultation for submission to the Department for Economy.

·        given the deadline for submission of responses by 20th August (extended for the Council until 26th August), the Committee is asked to give delegated authority to officers to submit the agreed response before the deadline, with the proviso that it is subject to Council ratification on 1st September. 

3.0       Main Report

3.1       The Department for Economy (DfE) recently launched a consultation paper on the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland – Skills for a 10x Economy.  The Department has asked for views on how the challenge of building a world-class skills system is to be met.  This Strategy sets direction for the development of a flexible skills system for the next decade, in line with DfE’s 10x economic vision.  It aims to align the skills system to better jobs and better wages across the economy.  There is an overarching focus on creating a skills framework which can drive economic prosperity and tackle social inequality. 

3.2       The Skills Strategy recommendations have been informed by preliminary work undertaken last year by the OECD.  There has also been some stakeholder engagement through a Programme Board (including local government representation through Belfast City Council’s Chief Executive), as well as further data input through UUEPC’s NI Skills Barometer.

3.3       The draft strategy includes three broad objectives.  These are:

·          Addressing skills imbalances, driving economic growth

·          Creating a culture of lifelong learning

·          Enhancing digital skills – developing a digital spine.

3.4       It also contains three strategic “enablers” which will support the delivery of the strategy:

·             Enhancing policy cohesion

·             Building strong relationships

·             Investment in the skills system.

3.5       Some of the key areas of challenge identified through the supporting research include:

·        Graduate and post-graduate levels: the overall number of qualifications produced in Northern Ireland is broadly in accordance with anticipated demand, but there is a need to rebalance the type of qualifications delivered towards STEM, with corresponding reductions in subjects more typically aligned to work in the public sector;

·        Participation in lifelong learning: The Strategy sets a framework and objectives for the NI skills system to 2030.  As 80% of the 2030 workforce will have already completed compulsory education, the education system needs to adapt to lifelong learning to adapt to a rapidly changing economy.  OECD research suggests adults in OECD countries spend, on average, 30% more time  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

            The Members of the Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1            The purpose of this report is to present to Members the draft Safeguarding (All ages) Policy and to inform them of the proposed timetable for public consultation.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Members of the Committee are asked to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to:

                                          i.        approve the draft Safeguarding (All Ages) Policy, which complies with the most recent developments in safeguarding. The Committee should note that the draft policy has been shared for comment across a range of frontline services including AGRS, Legal Services and corporate HR; and

                                        ii.        endorse the public consultation timeframe for the draft policy document from November 2021.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       The new policy includes a series of arrangements to support an enhanced and robust assurance framework for safeguarding compliance across the council. These include more stringent pre-employment checks and periodic checks during the course of employment (every three years), improved training, clearer reporting procedures and line management responsibility, coupled with a greater awareness and understanding throughout the organisation.

Background

Context

3.2       Child protection has been a priority for organisations for many years, and there is a well-established process in place throughout Belfast City Council to deal with child protection issues. The current policy was written in 2009 and whilst it remains broadly compliant, changes in the wider operational environment, developments in technology, the rapid growth of social media and fluctuating socio-economic standards across the world has led to the need to revise the policy to ensure it continues to be fit for purpose. The main guidance for safeguarding is currently managed by Volunteer Now.

3.3       Adult safeguarding is a distinctly different area of practise and, in reality, it is still in its infancy in comparison with child safeguarding. In April 2009, the Department of Health (formerly the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety) commissioned the ‘Our Duty to Care Team’ from Volunteer Now to develop standards and guidance for good practice in adult safeguarding for voluntary, community and independent organisations based on their experience of developing ‘Keeping Children Safe’. Since the guidance was first published, there have been considerable developments in the area of adult safeguarding in Northern Ireland.

3.4       The Council has a corporate responsibility for safeguarding all ages (children and adults) which is currently supported by ‘Policy and Procedures for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults’ which has been in operation since 2009.

3.5       The policy applies to elected members, BCC Chief Officers and all staff and volunteers who work within or in the name of the council. It is a demonstration of the Council’s commitment to providing and maintaining services across all Departments that protect these service users from harm as well as protecting the organisation and our staff and volunteers from potential allegations.

3.6       The policy is broadly relevant; however, it is no longer fit for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

            (Ms. V. Brown, City Services Manager, attended in connection with this item.)

            The City Services Manager reminded the Members that responsibility for off-street public car parking had, on 1st April, 2015, transferred to councils as part of Local Government Reform. All eleven councils had, at that time, entered into an agency agreement with the then Department for Regional Development, which provided enforcement, cash collection and penalty charge processing services on their behalf. That agreement had been extended in November, 2016 and again in November, 2019.

            She reported that the current arrangement with what was now the Department for Infrastructure would expire on 31st October, 2022, which would allow sufficient time to prepare the specification and tender documents, tender for the contract and embed the new arrangements. Eight of the nine councils which were still involved in the agency agreement had indicated that they wished to terminate the arrangement and tender collaboratively for the services. This approach would allow those participating to explore other methods of enforcement, evaluate potential savings and efficiencies and offer more assurances around value-for-money. The Council which had, in 2019, left the agreement had also confirmed its interest in pursuing the collaborative approach,

            The City Services Manager went on to state that, at the SOLACE meeting in March, Ards and North Down Council had offered to lead the procurement exercise, with support from other councils, including Belfast. Following the assessment and award of the tender, each council would draw services from the tender and manage those independently. This joint tendering procurement approach had, she pointed out, been endorsed by the Council’s Legal Services Unit.

            She added that, whilst a decision had been taken to end the arrangement with the Department for Infrastructure, the current pandemic had impacted upon the replacement process. It was possible, therefore, that the current agreement may have to be extended on a temporary short-term basis and the Department had been requested to confirm that it would facilitate the extension, if required.

            After discussion, the Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to:

                      i.               agree, in line with SOLACE, that councils should tender for enforcement services on the open market, rather than renew the service agreement with the Department for Infrastructure. This would involve a joint tendering procurement exercise with the other councils for car parking enforcement services and penalty charge processing;

                     ii.               agree that officers formally inform the Department for Infrastructure that the Council did not wish to enter into another agency agreement and that it would, alongside other councils, tender on the open market for off-street enforcement and associated services; and

                    iii.               note that a further report would be submitted to the Committee in relation to the procurement process, outlining potential efficiencies, value-for-money and any financial challenges in delivering the off-street car parking function beyond October 2022.

            The Members of the Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report

1.1       The purpose of this report is to seek Members approval for the following funding agreements, which are required to support delivery of Belfast’s programme of climate activity:

-        Linenquarter BID - £20,000 contribution towards the delivery of the Festival of the Circular Economy, which will align with COP26;

-        Common Purpose - £10,000 contribution towards the delivery of the Common Purpose Legacy Programme which will focus on young leaders roles in relation to climate and be scheduled in advance of COP26;

-        Woodland Trust - £45,000 for the delivery of volunteer coordination, community outreach and support for PR and communication for the Belfast One Million Trees Programme.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Members of the Committee are asked to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to approve the awarding of funding agreements to the following organisations which are supporting the delivery of the Belfast Resilience Strategy and the programme of climate activity linked to COP26, which runs from 1st to 12th November. 

-        Linenquarter BID - £20,000 contribution towards the delivery of the Festival of the Circular Economy, which will align with COP26 in November 2021;

-        Common Purpose - £10,000 contribution towards the delivery of the Common Purpose Legacy Programme, which will focus on young leaders roles in relation to climate and be scheduled for October 2021, in advance of COP26;

-        The Woodland Trust - £45,000 for the delivery of volunteer coordination, community outreach and support for PR and communication for the Belfast One Million Trees Programme over a 3 year period.

            Members are also asked to note the ongoing work by officers on the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and WWF One Planet City Challenge.

3.0       Main Report

3.1       The Climate Team within Council is leading on the delivery of the Belfast Resilience Strategy Ambitions Document and a number of associated workstreams such as planning for COP26, engagement with and capacity building for young people, and the development of Council’s own Climate Plan.

3.2       Three projects are planned which require funding agreements to be put in place to allow delivery to take place. These are:

3.3       Linenquarter BID Festival of Circular Economy

The Linenquarter BID Festival of Circular Economy event will support business engagement around the concept of circular economy and will include high profile speakers including Belfast Lord Mayor and the Lord Mayor of Liverpool. The event is one of the key events in the City’s programme of activity during the COP26 fortnight and will provide a platform to engage with business on a range of climate issues in the future. The Council is requested to fund £20,000 of a total £100,000 budget. The Council’s contribution is included in the existing City and Organisational Strategy budget provision for the current financial year.

3.4       The event organisers will ensure that the event is linked to the ambitions of the Resilience Strategy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

            The Director of Finance and Resources informed the Members that the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman had, in recent years, undertaken research with all public sector bodies, including the Council, under it remit. It had subsequently engaged with them to identify complaint management improvement opportunities, in partnership with each sector, with a view to introducing a public sector model complaints handling procedure.

            He reported that the Ombudsman had been granted approval by the Northern Ireland Assembly, under Part 3 of the Public Services Ombudsman Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, to produce a set of principles and procedures to help standardise complaints handling by public bodies. The Ombudsman had, in June, launched its Complaints Handling Standards Public Consultation, which was open to public bodies, advocacy and support groups, politicians, members of the public and anyone with an interest in improving complaints handling and public services in Northern Ireland. 

            The Ombudsman had, alongside the consultation, launched its  Research Report on ‘Complaints Handling in the Public Sector in Northern Ireland’, which had addressed the complaints handling procedures of public bodies in Northern Ireland, including the experience of complaining to a public sector body in Northern Ireland, barriers to improved complaints handling and improvements which might be made to complaints handling in the future.

            The Director reported further that Party Group Leaders had been invited to complete the consultation questionnaire and he submitted for approval a draft Council response, which also reflected previous feedback from Chief Officers and senior management, as well as ongoing discussions with Departmental complaints officers, in preparation for both the consultation and subsequent co-design phases. He added that, once the consultation process had concluded, the Ombudsman would collate the responses, consider any changes and return to the Northern Ireland Assembly to seek final approval for its plans.

Consultation on Creating Complaints Handling Standards

for the Northern Ireland Public Sector

Council Response

This questionnaire provides an opportunity for organisations and other interested parties to provide feedback on the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman’s (NIPSO’s) proposals for a set of principles and procedures aimed at standardising complaints handling by public bodies. If you haven’t already done so, you may wish to read the consultation document before providing your feedback by clicking here.

The Statement of Principles

The draft Statement of Principles (SOP) consists of six basic principles that NIPSO believe all public bodies should follow when handling a complaint. The full SOP is available by clicking here.

The six key principles are:

1. Start off right

2. Fix it early

3. Focus on what matters

4. Be fair

5. Be honest

6. Learn and improve.

For each of the six principles above, NIPSO has set out what it expects public bodies to do when they receive a complaint. These include: acknowledging mistakes at the earliest opportunity, providing clear reasons for decisions, investigating complaints fairly, and using complaints as an opportunity for improvement.

Is there anything you would like to see added or changed in terms of the content of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

            The Members of the Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1            To consider and agree the extension of a scheme for the temporary licensing of Pavement Cafes.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       Taking into account the information presented Members of the Committee are asked to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May 2021, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to agree that:

1.          the temporary Pavement Café licensing scheme should be extended to 30th September 2022 and that any new licences that are granted be issued with the same expiry date;

2.          any application fees associated with the temporary Pavement Café licensing scheme should be waived until 30th September 2022;

3.          there should be a gradual return to normal and proportionate enforcement procedures in line with established council policy guidance, and

4.          a follow up report should be brought before the Licensing Committee prior to September 2022 to seek Members views on how to proceed in relation to Pavement Café licensing.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       The Licensing of Pavement Cafes Act (NI) 2014 (“the Act”) came into operation on the 1October 2016. However, the Council did not implement the legislation at that time as the Department for Infrastructure, Roads had not, and still has not, issued their technical guidance in support of the Act.

3.2       That technical guidance was deemed crucial in that, among other matters, it was required to provide councils with the necessary information on an acceptable size and position of a pavement café such that there was clear demarcation between pedestrians and cafés to enhance health & safety regarding obstructions, tripping hazards and to provide a clear indicator for the visually impaired.

3.3       In June last year, a temporary process for considering pavement café applications was introduced. This process, and associated temporary guidance for applicants, was developed, based on DfC and Licensing Forum guidance, in unique circumstances to assist the hospitality sector during the pandemic. When introduced it was made clear to applicants that it will be subject to review and that the council may modify or dispense with such aspects of the guidance as it thinks appropriate depending upon issues which may arise, or in response to changes in the Government’s guidance in relation to Covid-19.

3.4       The aim of the scheme was to facilitate the controlled expansion of suitable premises such as cafes, restaurants and pubs, providing small businesses with an opportunity to boost their income at a time of economic crisis.

3.5       At that time authority was granted by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee to waive the licence application fee given the prevailing circumstances.

3.6       The scheme was established with the intention of running for a year and all licences that have been issued have an expiry date of 31st August 2021.

3.7       Temporary Pavement Café Applications

·          Since the scheme was launched 60 licences have been issued

·          More than 60 other applications have been received which we cannot progress due to applicants failing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

            The Members of the Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

1.1            This report updates Members on the development and implementation of the £105m leisure assets capital programme.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Members of the Committee are asked to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to note:

                                               i.               that the ICT and Business Case consultant for the proposed new leisure facility at Girdwood have been appointed and options are currently being developed in advance of public consultation, as outlined in paragraph 3.1;

                                             ii.               that S & P Architects have now completed Phase A of the Future Options review for those centres not currently included in the Leisure Transformation Programme and agree that a special SP and R meeting and Party Group briefings are organised to update Members, as outlined at 3.2;

                                            iii.               that the three new leisure facilities at Lisnasharragh, Brook and Andersonstown have all now fully re-opened following lockdown and continue to see strong membership numbers as outlined at 3.3; and

                                            iv.               that works are progressing at Avoniel and Templemore centres and both facilities remain on schedule as outlined at 3.4

            Main Report

3.1.      Girdwood Integrated Sports Facility (GISF)

Following appointment of the ICT and business case consultant, a range of options for the new facility have been developed in line with the previous options developed by SIB/DfC back in 2017. These options all include a new community pool, changing for the existing 3G pitch alongside a new dry side leisure offering. The options are currently being tested through the business case with a view to arriving at a preferred option. It is currently envisaged that the preferred option will be developed by end September. This will then be presented to Members before being consulted on with the local community and key stakeholders. This consultation will help inform the final design of new facility.

It is currently envisaged that work on the new facility will commence in summer 2022.

3.2       Future Options Review – (Ozone, Ballysillan, Whiterock,

Shankill, Loughside and Belvoir)

Members will be aware that Space and Place Architects (S&P) have been appointed to perform a review of current leisure provision across the city, with a specific focus on the impact to date of LTP and the future options for those centres not included in the current programme of redevelopment. This commission was split up into three distinct phases (A-C), with each phase to be brought into Committee for approval before proceeding with the next phase.

·          Phase A – Baseline Review

·          Phase B – Consultation –consultation with Members and a wide range of key stakeholders with a view to begin the process of developing options for the remaining six centres.

·          Phase C – Concept Designs - Phase C would then involve the development of concept designs as required.

Phase A specifically focused on the performance and future strategic options for those centres not included in LTP  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

            The Members of the Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1            The Council’s Physical Programme currently includes 170 capital projects with investment of £150m+ via a range of internal and external funding streams, together with projects which the Council delivers on behalf of external agencies. The Council’s Capital Programme forms part of the Physical Programme and is a rolling programme of investment which either improves existing Council facilities or provides new facilities. This report requests a movement under the Capital Programme (IT Programme) and provides an update on contracts awarded.

2.0            Recommendations

2.1            The Members of the Committee are asked to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to:

§  Proposed Movement - ‘IT Programme – Replacement Hardware for NIHE System’ (Stage 3 – Committed on the Capital Programme) - Note that a satisfactory tender return has now been achieved and that it is recommended that a maximum £360,000 is now allocated to this project. The Director of Finance & Resources has confirmed that this is within the affordability limits of the Council.

§  Contracts awarded in Q1 2021/22 – note the update in relation to contracts awarded

3.0            Main Report

            Capital Programme

3.1            Members agreed that all capital projects under the Council’s Capital Programme must go through a three-stage process, where decisions on which capital projects progress are taken by the Committee. This provides assurance as to the level of financial control and will allow Members to properly consider the opportunity costs of approving one capital project over another capital project.

3.2            Members will recall that, in June 2021, the stage movement was agreed for IT Programme: Replacement Hardware for NIHE System project to Stage 3 – Committed (Hold at Tier 0 – Scheme at risk pending tender return). This was to be brought back to Committee for sign-off and confirmation upon receipt of the tender returns. Members are now asked to note that the tender has now been returned within the affordability limits of the Council and that it is recommended that a maximum £360,000 is now allocated to this project.

            Contracts Awarded

3.3       Members are asked to note the award of tenders for capital works, including services related to works set out below.

                        Financial and Resource Implications

3.4       Financial – IT Programme: Replacement Hardware for NIHE System - up to a maximum of £360,000. The Director of Finance and Resources has confirmed this is within the affordability limits of the Council.

Resources – Ongoing operating costs are within existing revenue budgets.

                        Equality or Good Relations Implications/

Rural Needs Assessment

3.5       All capital projects are screened as part of the stage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to approve and adopt the minutes of the meeting of the East Belfast Area Working Group of 21st June.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to:

·        approve the public advertisement of tenders as per Standing Order 37a, as detailed in Table 1 below;

·        approve the award of Single Tender Actions in line with Standing Order 55 exceptions, as detailed in Table 2 below;

·        approve the modification of the contract as per Standing Order 37a, as detailed in Table 3 below; and

·        note the award of retrospective Single Tender Actions in line with Standing Order 55 exceptions, as detailed in Table 4 below.

Table 1:  Competitive Tenders

            The Director of Finance and Resources informed the Members that the Council had received a request from Playing for the Future CIC for funding towards the costs of hosting the Belfast Youth Cup soccer tournament.

            He explained that the organisation worked to bring people together to create opportunities for local children and celebrate diversity and that it operated Playing for the Future Academies in Belfast and Lurgan. It had established the Belfast Youth Cup in 2019 as a pilot initiative in order to provide young people with an opportunity to gain experience from playing in an international youth tournament and to showcase Belfast to a wider audience. Whilst, it had been the intention initially to limit the number of teams to eight, twenty-four teams from Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, England and Scotland had actually participated.  The tournament, which had in 2020 been expanded to include teams from Denmark and South America, had been cancelled due to Covid-19 which, in terms of this year, had resulted in 30% of revenues through team registrations being lost, due to a knock on effect.

            He reported that 120 teams from across Ireland had participated in this year’s competition, which had taken place between 12th and 15th August, and that Seaview, Ulidia Playing Fields and the Ulster University Jordanstown had been used as venues. 500 bed nights had been created, 45% of which had related to the City centre. He drew the Members’ attention to financial information which had been provided by Playing for the Future which had revealed that, as things stood, there would be a net loss of £29,244 associated with this year’s competition. It had been emphasised that, should this not be addressed, it would have implications for next year’s competition, as the number of participants would have to be significantly reduced.

            The Director added that Playing for the Future had not requested a specific amount from the Council and he suggested that, should Members be minded to provide financial support by, for example, covering the £544 hire charge for Ulidia Playing Fields or making a contribution to help reduce the tournament deficit, it would be met through the Covid-19 reserve fund.

            After discussion, it was

      Moved by Councillor Pankhurst,

      Seconded by Councillor Beattie,

      That the Committee agrees to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to allocate £5,000 to Playing for the Future towards the cost of hosting the Belfast Youth Cup.

            On a vote, thirteen Members voted for the proposal and four against, with one “no vote” and it was declared carried.

            The City Solicitor informed the Members that representatives from the councils of Belfast, Dublin and Edinburgh had, since 2002, participated in an annual Tri-Cities Golf competition. The event, which had originated from the Cities of the Isles network, had been developed with the aim of establishing strong social capital networks across the three cities, as well as providing opportunities for networking, collaboration and engagement on a range of shared challenges.

            He explained that this year’s competition would take place in Belfast, with Belvoir Park Golf Club being used on 2nd September and Dunmurry Golf Club on the following day. Participants would meet their own travel and accommodation costs and would receive no subsequent allowances or expenses. He pointed out that, each year, the host city met the cost of green fees for the visiting teams and provided a meal after each day’s competition and, accordingly, recommended that funding of up to a maximum of £2,000 be allocated from existing budgets to cover those costs.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to adopt the recommendation.

            The Members of the Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1            The purpose of this report is to provide the Committee with an update on the Language Strategy.

2.0       Recommendation

2.1       The Members of the Committee are asked to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to note the report.

3.0       Main Report

Background

3.1       The Council agreed a strategic approach to progress the Language Strategy in May 2021 including approving the establishment of:

·          a cross-party, bi-annual / quarterly Member Language Strategy Working Group;

·          a new external Irish Language Forum and a new external Ulster-Scots Forum to add to the existing Council stakeholder fora for the other language communities; and

·          an internal Language Strategy officer working group.

Key Issues

Progress update on Language Strategy

3.2       A report agreeing the next steps for the Language Strategy was brought to the Equality and Diversity Network – Strategic, which is chaired by the City Solicitor, in June where it was agreed that the Governance and Compliance Manager would carry out Departmental Management Team briefings so senior officers are aware of the implications of the Language Strategy. These are currently underway.

3.3       The internal Language Strategy officer working group has been established and comprises officers from Marketing and Communications; Customer Focus; Good Relations; Tourism, Culture, Heritage and Arts; Building Control; Corporate HR; City and Neighbourhood Services; Physical Programmes as well as the Language Officers. The key outcome from this officer working group is to develop draft action plans for each of the five language strands which we will bring to the first meeting of the Elected Member Working Group.

3.4       Nominations for the Elected Member Working Group will be sought in August, with the first and second meetings planned for September and October. It is planned to use these first two meetings to invite key stakeholders from the five language strands to brief the Working Group and for Elected Members to review and agree the draft action plans.

3.5       It is planned to establish and hold the new stakeholder fora for Irish and Ulster Scots in October / November.

3.6       In addition, English and Irish versions of the Council’s logo have been provided to Glór na nGael to use for the Irish Language in Business Awards later this year and also Cairde Ard Eoin, a community group in Ardoyne, for local history storyboards as part of an environmental improvement scheme from the DfC Covid-19 Revitalisation Programme Business Cluster and Community Grant Scheme. This is in line with the decision made by the Joint Group of the Party Leaders’ Forum and Historic Centenaries Working Group from October 2013 which was agreed through SP and R to design a logo in Irish for use by individual Members and organisations. It is suggested that a process is developed so that these requests are approved and logged by the Irish Language Officer.

3.7       The Irish Language Officer is also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

            The City Solicitor reminded the Members that the Committee, at its meeting on 19th February, had approved the Draft Audit of Inequalities and the Equality Action Plan for 2021-24 for public consultation. The documents had been prepared as part of the Council’s compliance requirements under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, with the Equality Action Plan scheduled to run from 2021 until 2024, to align with the Corporate Plan.

            He provided a brief overview of the consultation process and the list of consultees and confirmed that:

                           i.          data gathered would be considered through the internal officer Equality and Diversity Network Strategic and Operational groups and would be fed into specific, relevant programmes;

                          ii.          no changes had been made to the draft Audit of Inequalities and this would now, subject to approval, be submitted to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and published as a final document; and

                         iii.          no changes had been made to the draft Equality Action Plan 2021-24 and this would now, subject to approval, be submitted to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and published as a final document.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to approve the Audit of Inequalities2021and the Equality Action Plan 2021-24for submission to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to note a summary of equality screenings and rural needs impact assessments for the period from April to June 2021 and approve the submission to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of the Rural Needs Annual Monitoring Return for 2020/21.

            The City Solicitor informed the Members that the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, trading as Translink, had carried out an equality impact assessment of the Weavers’ Cross Integrated Transport Hub, in accordance with the statutory duties contained within Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The assessment had included associated works and projects, up to and including the final build stage of the project.

            He explained that the draft equality impact assessment report had been made available as part of the formal consultation stage of the process and that the Council had been invited, as a named consultee, to submit comments on both it and the preliminary recommendations around measures to mitigate any potential future adverse impact and/or alternative policies. He drew the Members’ attention to the Council’s proposed response, which had welcomed the development, as being in line with the objectives set out within the Belfast Agenda. 

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to approve the submission of the following comments to Translink, as the Council’s response to the equality impact assessment for the Belfast Transport Hub and Wider Masterplan:

Belfast City Council response to Translink on the Equality Impact

Assessment for the Transport Hub and Associated Masterplan

Background

Translink has opened a period of public consultation on an Equality Impact Assessment for the Transport Hub and Associated Masterplan. An extension to the consultation period was agreed to allow for approval of our response at Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on 20 August 2021, with the response then to be submitted subject to Council approval in September 2021.

Introduction

Belfast City Council welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Equality Impact Assessment for the Transport Hub and Associated Masterplan.  It should be noted that the Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee is scheduled to receive a presentation on the Transport Hub/Weavers Cross development in August 2021 which will also provide an opportunity for discussion on the development.

We have given due consideration to this EQIA given the synergies between the aims of the Transport Hub and Associated Masterplan, and its potential to contribute to the ongoing transformation of Belfast. Comments were sought from across the council for inclusion in the response and we welcome any opportunity for further dialogue on any of the areas noted.

Contributing to the Belfast Agenda

As noted in the EQIA, the Transport Hub, is a key transport-led regeneration project that will contribute to Belfast’s community plan (the Belfast Agenda) ambitions and vision for the city in 2035 that Belfast will be a city re-imagined and resurgent.  A great place to live and work for everyone.  Beautiful, well-connected and culturally vibrant, it will be a sustainable city shared and loved by all its citizens, free form the legacy of conflict.’  As a key city infrastructure development it will contribute to our shared city outcome that by 2035:

• Belfast is vibrant, attractive, connected and environmentally  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to approve and adopt the minutes of the Shared City Partnership of 9th August, including the recommendations:

                 i.to invite the CYP2 Delivery Partner Active Communities Network to present to a future meeting;

                ii.to invite Mediation NI to present the Shared History Narratives for the Shared Space to the Partnership at its meeting in September;

               iii.          to approve a reallocation of budget to enable the funding awarded to NBIN/TASCIT for the Challenging Conversations project under BCC 8 Our Safe Community to be increased from £5k to £6,565; and

              iv.          to note that the Dean Clarke Foundation has, under delegated authority, been allocated £1,940 towards a diversionary programme of activity for the Tigers Bay/ Mountcollyer area under the Strategic Intervention Programme.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to approve and adopt the minutes of the meeting of the Party Group Leaders’ Consultative Forum of 12th August.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to approve and adopt the minutes of the meeting of the Social Policy Working Group of 30th June.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to approve and adopt the minutes of the meeting of the Working Group on the Climate Crisis of 23rd June.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to note the minutes of the meeting of the Active Belfast Limited Board of 9th August.

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to adopt the recommendations made in respect of those applications received up to 9th August, as set out below:

            The City Solicitor informed the Members that the Chief Executive had been invited to become a member of the Belfast Maritime Consortium Supervisory Board.  He confirmed that he had reviewed the proposed terms of appointment and was satisfied that there was no conflict of interest for the Chief Executive. 

            The Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to approve her appointment to the Belfast Maritime Consortium Supervisory Board.

            The Members of the Committee were reminded that, at the meeting on 18th June, they had agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to agree that the post of Head of Inclusive Growth and Anti-Poverty be recruited on a permanent basis and that the Elected Members on the selection panel consist of the Chairperson of the Committee (or her nominee), together with Councillors McLaughlin and Pankhurst.

            The Chief Executive reported that she had since been informed that Councillor Pankhurst would be unable to participate in the selection panel and that he had been unsuccessful in securing a replacement from his Political Party.

            Accordingly, she sought a nominee from a Political Party other than those which were already represented on the recruitment panel and referred to the need to balance the panel in terms of gender and community background.

            After discussion, the Members of the Committee agreed to recommend that, in accordance with the Council decision of 4th May, the Chief Executive exercise her delegated authority to note that the Alliance Party would, in the first instance, seek to nominate a Member to sit on the selection panel.